Braidwood, Illinois

Braidwood
Location of Braidwood in Will County, Illinois.
Coordinates: 41°15′30″N 88°14′46″W / 41.25833°N 88.24611°W / 41.25833; -88.24611
CountryUnited States
StateIllinois
CountyWill, Grundy
Area
 • Total
5.47 sq mi (14.17 km2)
 • Land5.30 sq mi (13.72 km2)
 • Water0.18 sq mi (0.46 km2)
Elevation
568 ft (173 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
6,194
 • Density1,169.7/sq mi (451.61/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
60408
Area code815/779
FIPS code17-07770
GNIS feature ID2394237
Websitebraidwood.us

Braidwood is a city in Will and Grundy counties, Illinois, United States, approximately 53 miles (85 km) southwest of Chicago and 18 miles (29 km) south of Joliet. As of the 2020 census, Braidwood had a population of 6,194.

The Braidwood Nuclear Generating Station, a nuclear power plant owned by Exelon Corporation, is also located in the area (although the plant's address is actually in the nearby town of Braceville). The station is one of the major employers in the area and provides a significant portion of the electricity used in the Chicago area. The plant has been the subject of controversy concerning a series of leaks since 2007.